CJN Reacts to Alleged Probe By EFCC

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on Wednesday reacted to media reports which says he is among some of the highly placed Nigerians that are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Onnoghen, who denied any knowledge of his being investigated by the EFCC over any impropriety, however assured the public that he has nothing to hide and is open to any investigation by the commission.
The CJN’s reaction which was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Awassam Bassey, noted that the CJN would not be deterred by the report in his efforts at carrying out necessary reforms of the Judiciary.
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports quoting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as probing the Hon. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, for yet-to-be disclosed reasons.
“The reports in the media mentioned the reason for the investigation as intelligence” which for now we take to be abstract.
“However, the Hon. CJN wishes to use this medium to say that it is the first time he is being aware of any allegations or intelligence against him, neither has he been invited or called upon to offer any explanation on any impropriety.
“However, the Hon. CJN wishes to assure the public that he has nothing to hide and is open to investigation”.
Awassam stated further that, the CJN as a committed patriot who has spent all his adult life in the temple of justice, is ready to pay the required price to make the nation a better place.
He said “The commitment of the Hon CJN to the efforts of the current administration to rid the country of corrupt practices is unwavering and he will stop at nothing to see a new dawn in Nigeria’s Judiciary.
“He will also not be distracted in his avowed reformative efforts to make the Nigerian Judiciary a beacon of well-rounded justice which the entire citizenry will be proud of”.
Awassam therefore urged the public to keep faith and trust in the present administration’s fight against corruption and be assured that the CJN is doing his best to reform the Judiciary accordingly.